Graphic Design with Foundation BA Honours

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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £9,250 *
International Fees £15,400 *
Duration 4 or 5 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Our degree courses with Foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster.

Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our Foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.

Our Foundation year in Art and Design is designed to provide you with an introduction to our range of subject areas, and to prepare you for the discipline of your choice. It will give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within the field. It begins in the first semester with the development of fundamental Art and Design skills, as well as practical exploration across all of the disciplines in our Art and Design Foundation programme. In the second semester you are encouraged to specialise in your own discipline and are supported at this stage by tutors from your host course. You will also benefit from workshops in our high-end facilities, and from working with leading academics who will encourage you to become a confident and creative thinker. Your practical development is accompanied by modules in both semesters on foundational academic skills – skills that will be essential as you progress to your chosen full degree.

On successful completion of the Foundation year, you'll be able to move on to study for the Graphic Design BA Honours degree over a further three years study.

On the Graphic Design BA you’ll learn a broad range of creative, technical and professional skills and use these to respond to industry-standard briefs and collaborative project work – preparing you for life as a professional graphic designer.

Our Graphic Design BA reflects both the multi-disciplinary nature of today’s graphic design industry and the constantly evolving society in which we live.

A graphic designer is a creative problem solver who understands the psychology of how and why people engage with visual messages such as brands, across numerous formats – including screen, print, objects and physical spaces. During the course you’ll learn the latest processes and software, but you’ll become far more than a technologist. Instead, you’ll use analogue and digital tools to explore typography, photography, film and visual effects to create powerful interactive content that engages, promotes, entertains and informs.

Collaboration is at the heart of this course. Located at our Harrow campus you’ll be an integral part of our Art, Design and Visual Culture community, working alongside students from illustration, animation, games design, film, photography, music, fashion and journalism. Through project work you’ll learn how to collaborate with people from other disciplines effectively, and gain crucial teamwork and communication skills. 

The main aim of the course is to prepare you for a successful career. Taught by experienced industry practitioners, you’ll take professional core skills modules throughout your three years of study. This can be complemented by an optional additional year spent on placement with a relevant company or studying abroad. You’ll also have access to events and industry-set competitions through our links with organisations such as New Designers and D&AD.

Top reasons to study with us

  • Join an institution ranked in the UK top 15 for communication and media studies (QS World University Rankings 2023) and for student satisfaction in communication and media studies (Complete University Guide 2023)
  • Study in an extensive design-focused campus 20 minutes from central London, taking advantage of the capital’s cultural and creative opportunities
  • Become proficient in industry-standard software tools including Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premier Pro and XD
  • Work in advanced facilities including our extensive print, 3D and photographic studios and our specialist Emerging Media Space for 3D printing, laser cutting and realities such as VR, MR and AR.
  • Learn to market your skills, network with industry professionals and find work through the Westminster Enterprise Network
  • Spend a year on placement or studying abroad, adding an impressive element to your CV
  • Exhibit at our end-of-year student showcase at London Gallery West and the New Designers industry show

Course structure

Each year you’ll study a mix of core and collaborative modules complementing these with choices from a wide and varied range of optional modules. You’ll learn through a dynamic mix of formats including workshops, lectures, seminars, critiques and technical sessions. In project work you’ll collaborate with students from your course and other disciplines, helping you to build your team-working and communication skills.

You’ll also get to hear talks from visiting industry speakers, take part in workshops, and go on trips into central London to museums, galleries and design fairs.

Subjects of study include (across 5 core modules): 

  • Introduction to Academic Practice
  • Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
  • Art and Design Explorations
  • Making and Modelling
  • Seeing and Doing

There are no optional or elective modules offered at Level 3, as the focus is on the development of key academic skills through a broad understanding of Media and Design

Credit Level 3

In the first year you’ll get a broad grounding in contemporary graphic design practice and culture, exploring how to construct meaningful visual messages through image and typography, composition, layout, colour, history and theory. This is supported by option modules in drawing and visual effects.

Subjects of study include:

  • Design Cultures
  • Digital Arts 1
  • Graphic Explorations
  • Industry 1: Working in Professional Contexts
  • Typography
  • Drawing Exploration
  • Visual Effects

Credit Level 4

In your second year you’ll continue to build your creative and technical skills, applying them to industry and national competition briefs, learning to use different types of software. Choosing from optional modules will give you the chance to experiment and identify the direction of your work.

Subjects of study include:

  • Applied Practice
  • Digital Arts 2
  • Industry 2: Professional Practice and Enterprise
  • Visual Representation and Information
  • Sequence and Message
  • Brands
  • Designing for Games
  • Reality VR, AR, and MR
  • Theories of Media and Communication
  • UX/ UI Design

Credit Level 5

After Year 2 you can opt to do a year’s placement (or series of short placements) in a relevant company, or study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. This will lead to the final award: BA Honours – Graphic Design with Professional Experience or International Experience.

  • Extended Work Placement (Visual Media)
  • Study Abroad (Visual Media)

In your final year you’ll focus on a major design project, complemented with optional modules that further define your creative strengths and enable you to drill deeper into specialist areas of graphic design. The year culminates with the chance to take part in our student showcase. 

Subjects of study include:

  • Digital Arts 3
  • Graphic Design: Major Project
  • Industry 3: Professional Practice and Public Engagement
  • Audio Storytelling
  • Contextual Research Project
  • Creative Advertising
  • Critical Design
  • Stop-Motion Animation
  • User Experience (UX) and App Design

Credit Level 6

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Prospectus

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Request a prospectus

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

The Graphic Design with Foundation BA Honours can take you in a number of different directions. Many graduates go on to join graphic design studios or start their own practice. Some specialise in fields such as UX (User Experience), visual effects, virtual and augmented reality, game design or animation, working for a variety of organisations – from start-ups to global brands.

With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.

Entrepreneurial alumni

Our alumni have founded successful design companies such as Dusted Branding, Hugo and Cat, and Muuks Creative.

Westminster Enterprise Network

Hub giving students access to workshops, business advice and project work within well-known companies.

3,000

3,000 employers worldwide

Westminster’s Careers and Employability Service has a network of over 3,000 employers around the world.

Job roles

This course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas including:

  • Creative direction/art direction and advertising
  • Design for interaction
  • Branding and identity design
  • Editorial and publishing design
  • XR and experience design
  • Games design
  • Information design
  • Illustration and animation
  • Social design

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:

  • BBC
  • BBC Interactive News
  • The Guardian
  • The British Museum
  • The Science Museum
  • The British Library
  • Apple
  • Microsoft
  • Google
  • Yahoo
  • Orange
  • Transport for London
  • FutureBrand
  • DixonBaxi

Our alumni

  • Rodney Edwards, VP Microsoft – Design Windows and Surface, Seattle USA
  • Adam Concar – Creative Director at rbl Brand Agency
  • Roger Dickinson – Experience Design Director at NTT DATA
  • Matt Miller – Chief Design Officer at Clippd
  • George Lewis Jones – Design Director at Coley Porter Bell
  • Barbara Somiai – UX Designer Vice President at JP Morgan Chase & Co
  • David Wall – Co-founder at Dusted Branding
  • Robert Cressey – Partner and Director, Design at BCG Digital Ventures
  • Marja Hautala – Designer and Co-founder at Muuks Creative
  • Rakesh Chadee – Senior Creative at adidas x OLIVER Agency and D&AD mentor, judge and speaker
  • Johannes Smith – CEO and Co-founder at Hugo & Cat

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leaders

Stephen Hall's profile photo

Today’s designer needs to be a critical thinker – especially when it’s about challenging the brief and saying to a client: I think you actually need to do this.

Stephen Hall

Senior Lecturer

Stephen is a highly experienced practitioner who has spent 20 years in a studio design practice alongside his teaching and research career at leading universities. Commercially, he has specialised in delivering illustrative graphic design solutions and strategies for national and international clients across the public and private sectors, and providing consultancy for creative agencies on digital branding and advertising. 

Having initially graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, and exhibited his 2D work, Stephen became a pre-digital freelance illustrator in Australia. Later, a stint teaching and illustrating in Japan led to him studying graphic design in the UK during the emergence of the internet, interactive media and digital cultures. 

See full profileSee full profile of Stephen Hall

Peter Dukes

Principal Lecturer

Peter Dukes is a Principal Lecturer in Westminster School of Arts, University of Westminster, and a course leader for the Art and Design Foundation year. He studied Fine Art at Central St Martins and the Royal College of Art, and was Course Leader for BA Contemporary Media Practice from 2006 to 2016. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is currently School Senior Tutor for Westminster School of Arts.

His work engages with a variety of media and is interdisciplinary in nature, spanning visual arts and literature. He has shown nationally and internationally in a visual arts context, published work in literary magazines, as well as creating online moving image, textual and interactive media art.

See full profileSee full profile of Peter Dukes
Peter Dukes profile's profile photo

Our Foundation programme challenges you to develop your creative skills across all of our disciplines, helping you gain the confidence and experience to succeed on your chosen degree.

Course Team

Our tutors have extensive experience across a diverse range of topics including branding, UX/UI, typography, print, illustration, animation, emerging realities and design theory and history, and fine art. They continue to work in industry alongside their teaching duties, ensuring that you learn the latest commercial practice and thinking during the course.

Why study this course?

Multidisciplinary, creative campus

Work alongside students from illustration, animation and photography courses among others at our Harrow campus.

Fantastic location

With central London only 20 minutes away by tube, you’ll enjoy the benefits of studying in a creative capital.

A supportive environment

You’ll have a personal tutor and access to all the support you need to stay motivated and informed.

Entry Requirements

  • A levels – DD (48 UCAS Tariff points)
  • T levels – 48 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 48 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – PPP
  • BTEC Diploma – MP
  • Access – 48 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have: 

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level; GCSE Maths Pass - IB Pass

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

You will be required to submit a portfolio of 10 to 15 images of art and design work to reflect your course of interest. This might include drawing and painting, graphic design, illustration, photography, printmaking and digital prints, sculpture and 3D work, installations, animations or video. Video and animation files may need to be uploaded to YouTube or a similar online platform, and then embedded in your portfolio website or with links also provided. There should be a maximum of three video files, each no longer than three minutes duration. 

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combinations of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

  • International Baccalaureate – 48 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by case basis

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

You will be required to submit a portfolio of 10 to 15 images of art and design work to reflect your course of interest. This might include drawing and painting, graphic design, illustration, photography, printmaking and digital prints, sculpture and 3D work, installations, animations or video. Video and animation files may need to be uploaded to YouTube or a similar online platform, and then embedded in your portfolio website or with links also provided. There should be a maximum of three video files, each no longer than three minutes duration. 

More information

Pre-sessional English programmes

Need to improve your English before starting your course? We offer summer pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

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Student work

A selection of work created by our Graphic Design BA Honours students.

Westminster Degree Shows

The Westminster Degree Shows are an annual collection that showcases the creativity, vibrancy and artistic talent of our undergraduate arts courses. You can see the latest online collection on Westminster Degree Shows.

Banner text: Westminster Degree Shows 2023

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects. 

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

Basic art and studio materials are provided, but you may need to pay for some specialist art materials. We advise that it’s preferable to have your own laptop.

If you are unsure what to purchase, our technical support team can advise you once you have enrolled.

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

Basic art and studio materials are provided, but you may need to pay for some specialist art materials. We advise that it’s preferable to have your own laptop.

If you are unsure what to purchase, our technical support team can advise you once you have enrolled.

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Our Facilities

We provide dedicated studio space for each cohort which includes both collaborative and individual workspace. Our studios are equipped with computers, photocopiers, printers and scanners for IT and digital production. 

Our facilities accommodate many different techniques including screen printing, relief printing, photography, animation, painting, drawing, 3D fabrication and digital printing, laser cutting. 

We are constantly improving and expanding our facilities, and have recently invested in Wacom tablets and an Emerging Media Space for technologies such as virtual and augmented reality.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
F
25%75%
1
23%77%
2
22%78%
P
1%99%
3
15%85%
Scheduled hoursIndependent studyPlacement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Written exams: end of semester exams 
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
     
Year
F
4%96%
1
14%86%
2
9%91%
P
100%
3
33%67%
PracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2023/24

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

Harrow is our creative and cultural hub, home to most of our arts, media and digital courses. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the Westminster Enterprise Network.

Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.

For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

Start live chat

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

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